These 4 smile boosters are some of the simplest ways to improve your smile: whitening, dental implants, bonding and gum reshaping. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, uses each one alone or together to create natural-looking results. Here is how each works, who it suits and what to expect.
Smile booster 1: teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is quick and non-invasive. It is often the first step people take when they want a fresher-looking smile, and it can make a big difference on its own.
How whitening works
Over time, coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and some foods leave stains on and in the enamel. Whitening gels contain a bleaching agent that breaks those stains apart, so your teeth reflect more light and look brighter. This can be done at home with custom trays or in the dental office.
In-office or at home?
- In-office whitening gives the fastest change, often in a single visit. Our laser whitening uses light to help the gel work in a controlled setting.
- At-home whitening with trays made for your teeth works more gradually and is handy for touch-ups.
Whitening works on natural tooth enamel. It does not change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings, so if you have visible dental work in front, we will plan around it. Some people feel short-term sensitivity during whitening; we can adjust the approach to keep you comfortable. Learn more on our teeth whitening page.
Smile booster 2: dental implants
A missing tooth affects more than your appearance. It can make chewing harder, let nearby teeth drift, and cause the jawbone in that spot to shrink over time. A dental implant replaces both the root and the visible part of the tooth.
How an implant works
A small post is placed in the jawbone, where it takes the place of the tooth root. As it heals, the bone bonds to the post and holds it firmly. A crown is then attached on top to replace the missing tooth.
Why implants do double duty
Along with improving your smile and restoring your bite, an implant helps preserve the bone around it. Chewing forces travel through the implant into the jaw, which helps keep the bone from shrinking the way it does under a gap or a denture.
Planning matters. We use Green CT 3D cone beam imaging to see the bone in three dimensions before treatment, and guided implant surgery can help place the implant exactly where it was planned. Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Read more on our dental implants page.
Smile booster 3: dental bonding
Bonding is one of the most conservative ways to repair a tooth. It is commonly used for chipped or cracked teeth, small gaps, worn edges and teeth that are slightly uneven in shape.
How bonding works
A tooth-colored composite resin is shaped directly on your tooth, hardened with a special light, and then polished to blend in. In many cases little or no tooth structure needs to be removed, and treatment is often finished in one visit.
Bonding or porcelain?
With recent advances, today's materials copy the look of natural enamel much more closely than older ones. Composite resin is a great choice for small repairs. Porcelain, used in veneers and crowns, is stronger and more stain-resistant, and may be a better fit for larger changes. We will explain the trade-offs for your teeth. See cosmetic bonding for more.
Smile booster 4: gum reshaping
Sometimes the teeth are fine, but the gums frame them poorly. Gums can sit too low and make teeth look short, sit unevenly, or pull back and expose the roots. Periodontal plastic surgery is a family of treatments that reshape the gumline to give your teeth the right frame.
Common gum treatments
- Gum contouring, or a gum lift, removes a small amount of extra gum tissue to reveal more of each tooth and even out the line.
- Treatment for gum recession can add tissue where gums have pulled back, which can cover sensitive roots and protect the tooth.
Healthy gums come first, so we make sure any gum disease is treated before cosmetic changes. Learn more about a cosmetic gum lift.
Combining smile boosters
Each of these treatments can stand alone. Together, they can give you a complete smile redesign. A typical plan might lift an uneven gumline, whiten the natural teeth, bond a chipped edge and replace a missing tooth with an implant, all planned so the final shades and shapes match.
A combined plan does not have to happen all at once. Many patients spread treatment over several visits or months, starting with the change that matters most to them. Others prefer to do everything in a shorter window before a big event. We will map out the steps, the number of visits and the healing time so you can choose the pace that suits you.
Order matters. Whitening usually comes before bonding or crowns, so new work can be matched to your brighter natural shade. Gum reshaping often comes before veneers, so the new teeth sit inside a balanced frame.
Before you start, cosmetic imaging can show a preview of how your smile might look. It is an easy way to see whether a change feels like you. Dr. Haywood trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum and has more than 35 years in practice, so the goal is always a smile that looks natural on your face.
Questions patients often ask
Which smile booster should I start with?
It depends on what bothers you most and what your teeth and gums need. For many people, whitening is a simple first step. If a tooth is missing or damaged, repairing it may come first for health reasons.
How do I pay for cosmetic treatment?
We are out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit and our office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for any covered portion. Many cosmetic treatments are not covered by insurance, so CareCredit and Cherry payment plans can help. Our financing page has details.
Can I see results from other patients?
Yes. Our smile gallery shows real transformations from our office.
Boost your smile in Shrewsbury
If you are ready to explore any of these 4 smile boosters, we would love to help you choose the right mix. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at our office at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. We welcome patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
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